Clownfish

Twenty-seven, including:

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Amphiprion allardi - Allard's Clownfish

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Amphiprion melanopus - Cinnamon Clownfish

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Amphiprion clarkii - Clark's Anemonefish

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Amphiprion ocellaris - Ocellaris Clownfish

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Amphiprion percula - Percula Clownfish

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Amphiprion perideraion - Pink Skunk Clownfish

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Amphiprion polymnus - Saddleback Clownfish

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Amphiprion sebae - Sebae Clownfish

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Amphiprion tricinctus - Three-Band Anemonefish

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Amphiprion ephippium - Tomato Clownfish

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Amphiprion frenatus - Fire Clownfish

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Amphiprion chrysopterus - Orange-fin Anemonefish

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Amphiprion akallopisos - Skunk Clownfish

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Amphiprion nigripes - Black-footed Clownfish

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Amphiprion sandaracinos - Orange Skunk Clownfish

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Amphiprion rubacinctus - Australian Clownfish

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Premnas biaculeatus - Maroon Clownfish

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The Clownfish, or Anemonefish, are the subfamily Amphiprioninae of the family Pomacentridae. There are currently 27 species, of which one is in the genus Premnas and the rest are in the subfamily's type genus Amphiprion. The other pomacentrids are called damselfish.

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Clownfish are native to wide ranges of the warm waters of the Pacific; some species ranges overlap others. Clownfish are not found in the Atlantic. Clownfish live in a mutual relationship with sea anemones. Once an anemone has been adopted, the clownfish will defend it vigorously. However, clownfish in an aquarium environment can exist very well without an anemone. (This may be advisable as anemones are extremely difficult to keep alive even for experienced aquarists.) The anemone is required in nature because reef life is dangerous for small, brightly colored fish with very poor swimming abilities; in an aquarium lacking predators it is not needed. For this reason, Clownfish never stray far from their host. In an aquarium, where they don't have to forage for food, it is very common for Clownfish to remain within 6-12 inches of their host for an entire lifetime.

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Clownfish and Damselfish are the only species which can avoid the stings of an anemone, which can be quite potent. The exact mechanism by which this is accomplished is the subject of debate, and there are several theories which may all be partly responsible. The details of these theories are complex, but they fall into two major categories. One theory is that their slime coating is based on sugar rather than proteins so anemones fail to recognize the fish as food and do not fire their nematocysts, or sting organelles. A similar theory is that the mucous coating mimicks the anemone's own coating, a theory that is bolstered by the fact that it takes several days for a Clownfish to adapt to a new species of anemone. There is no acclimation period when a Clownfish is moved to another anemone of the same species. It is interesting to note that not all anemones make suitable hosts--many can and will sting and eat Clownfish. Also, particular species of clownfish will only use particular species of host anemones in nature. In captivity, certain Clownfish species will adapt to certain other anemone species, but not many. Another likely possibility is that their unique movements, which are unlike any other fish, let the anemone know that they are not food. This theory is bolstered by the fact that juvenile Clownfish, which have no coating, will immediately seek refuge in any compatible anemone and will not be stung. Juvenile clownfish will not survive for long without the protection of an anemone, and few actually find one before being eaten.

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Clownfish are among the few marine fish that can be bred in captivity in commercially-viable quantities at the time of this writing. Hobbyists are advised to purchase captive-born clownfish (and other marine animals) whenever possible. The Amphiprions are attractive in colour and usually wear bright colours. Example: orange, black, and white. They are good for a marine aquarium because they are friendly and easy to feed. They adapt well in captivity and can be easily studied for scientific research. These warm water fish have a higher metabolism which makes them more active than the cold-water fish.

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Clownfish lay eggs on any flat surface close to or under protection of their host anemones. These eggs are cared for by the male and hatched under complete darkness after a period of 7 to 10 days. Hatching occurs in a natural rhythm directly connected to the phases of the moon. Clownfish are omnivorous, their diets range from flakes to meat. They feed mostly on copepods and mysids, the undigested excrement from their host anemones.

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Clownfish are relatively small organisms, fish in aquaria can grow to 9 cm (3.5 inches) in length, fish in the wild can grow to a length of 12 cm (5 inches). The maximum size varies by species, with males being significantly smaller than females.

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Subfamily: REDIRECT Family (biology)...

Pomacentridae: Many, e.g.:...

Species: In biology, the most commonly used definition of species was first coined by Ernst Mayr. Species are "groups of actually or potentially interbreeding natural populations which are reproductively isolated from other such groups" (however, see other definitions of species below)....

Clownfish related Images and Photos (experimental)

Clown Fish

Clown Fish Red Sea

Clown Fish & Anemone Truk Lagoon